Sheryl Lee Ralph

Date of Birth: December 30, 1956

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

Sheryl Lee Ralph is a renowned American actress, singer, and activist whose career spans several decades. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, she was raised between Mandeville, Jamaica, and Long Island, New York. Ralph first captured national attention in the 1981 Broadway musical “Dreamgirls,” where she originated the role of Deena Jones, earning a Tony Award nomination for her performance. This role catapulted her into stardom, and she went on to have a diverse career in television, film, and theater. Ralph has appeared in numerous television shows, including “Moesha,” where she played the role of Dee Mitchell, and “It’s a Living.” In film, she has acted in “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,” “The Distinguished Gentleman,” and “To Sleep with Anger.” In addition to her acting career, Ralph is a passionate advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and created the DIVA (Divinely Inspired Victoriously Aware) Foundation to promote HIV/AIDS prevention through the arts. She is also an author, having penned her memoir, “Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl.”

5 Interesting Facts about Sheryl Lee Ralph

1. Sheryl Lee Ralph was the first African-American woman to graduate from Rutgers University at the age of 19.

2. She won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her role in “To Sleep with Anger” (1990).

3. Sheryl Lee Ralph is fluent in Jamaican Patois, a result of her Jamaican heritage.

4. She was named as one of TV Guide’s “Most Beautiful People” in the early 1990s.

5. Ralph was awarded the Order of Jamaica in 2022 for her contributions to the arts and her advocacy work.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sheryl Lee Ralph

1. “To be a diva is to know who you are and push for what you can be.”

2. “Success is measured by the road traveled, not by the destination.”

3. “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

4. “You are only as beautiful as your last action.”

5. “If you don’t see a clear path for what you want, sometimes you have to make it yourself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Sheryl Lee Ralph’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Sheryl Lee Ralph has two children. Her son, Etienne Maurice, is a filmmaker and social activist, and her daughter, Ivy-Victoria Maurice, is a graduate of Syracuse University and works in the fashion industry.